Shadow Play Qualifies at Mohawk

Though he has been drawn in to contest the $162,000 Des Smith Classic Pace Sunday, June 28 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, 2008 Little Brown Jug winner Shadow Play qualified in solid form this morning at Mohawk Racetrack.

With Paul MacDonell in the bike for trainer Dr. Ian Moore, Shadow Play left from Post 5 in Race 10 and sat second through a :27.4 opening quarter. Moving to the front in the second quarter, the four-year-old son of The Panderosa threw up middle fractions in :55.1 and 1:24.

Expanding his lead in what was a 28-second final quarter, Shadow Play went on to post a seven and a half-length win in 1:52. The mile was Shadow Play's first charted line since the May 22 Molson Pace at Western Fair Raceway where he finished a disappointing fifth, beaten over 12 lengths, pacing in 1:54.4.

A report today by Atlantic Post Calls cites Dr. Moore as saying that his stable star will not contest the Des Smith Sunday.

“I really can’t tell you what is causing his problems,” Dr. Moore was quoted as saying. The report also stated that Dr. Moore revealed that Shadow Play had a slight foot separation — this one on the opposite hoof from last year’s injury.